They’re on the sidelines before the sun’s up or long after it’s set in the evening sky. They’re the reassuring voice after a tough session and the first to celebrate a personal best. Coaches are the heartbeat of athletics in Australia, and they’re stepping up in record numbers.
New data shows that during the 2024-2025 season, 5,739 coaches across the country held active accreditation, marking the second highest level of coaches on record and only slightly shy of the record high of 5.782 reached in 2016-17. It’s the third straight year of growth, with a 6.1% increase in coach accreditation renewals this year alone.
And while those numbers are encouraging, what they truly reflect is the community’s growing commitment to giving back, supporting one another and guiding the next generation. It’s also a sign of the deep commitment coaches have made to the development of athletes and the sport more broadly.
Driving this growth is a combination of the experienced coaches and fresh faces, with 1,373 coaches receiving their accreditation for the first time during the last 12 months, adding new energy and perspective to the Australian coaching cohort.
“We often talk about athletes as the stars of the show, and they are, but it’s the coaches who often build the stage,” said Australian Athletics CEO Simon Hollingsworth.
“Behind every great performance is someone who believed in that athlete, planned every session and stayed after each competition for the debrief. These people are the soul of the sport, and we’re thrilled to see these numbers growing.”
The rise in coaching numbers has been matched by a surge in coach education around the country. Queensland and South Australia led the way in course participation, with numbers jumping by 39% and 116% respectively, and in Victoria, the country’s biggest state for coaching, 499 individuals enrolled in formal accreditation, up 13% from the previous year.
The rise isn’t limited to formal education either. Across Australia, coaches are actively engaging in online learning through the Course Education Hub, the Athletics Learning Centre, and the new AthleticsCoachingAI podcast.
More than 99,000 unique users visited the Coach Education Hub this year, while the Learning Centre recorded 620 completions of the popular Mobility and Flexibility course, which is a testament to a community of coaches hungry to learn and grow.
Coach engagement on the @athscoachaustralia Instagram also spiked, with peer-reviewed drills, insights, and ideas reaching thousands weekly. The message is clear: coaching isn’t standing still. It’s evolving, and coaches are leading that change.
The surge in engagement shows that coaches aren’t just stepping up, they’re continuing to learn, adapt and grow. And for the athletes they support, that means better outcomes, safer environments and more evidence-based guidance tailored to individual development.
“This is a volunteer-driven sport at its core. Our coaches are most often parents, teachers, former athletes; all people who give their time and heart to something bigger than themselves,” Hollingsworth said.
“The growth tells us that people truly believe in the sport. They want to contribute, to learn and to help others thrive. That’s the culture we want to nurture as we head into this next era of Australian athletics.”
Whether you’re looking to give back, deepen your involvement in athletics or help someone discover their potential, coaching is one of the most rewarding ways to make an impact.
If you’re interested in becoming a coach, visit coachathletics.com.au to learn more.
And if you’re an athlete or parent looking for support, guidance or someone to help take your performance to the next level, there are more accredited coaches across the country.
Use the Coach Finder tool to connect with the right coach for you.
By Sascha Ryner, Australian Athletics
Posted: 22/7/2025
